Is Skydiving Scary?

The words that make up the sentence, “Is skydiving scary?,” probably don’t accurately reflect the question you’re really wanting to ask which is, “Is jumping from a plane at an altitude of 14,000 feet and falling at a rate of 120 miles per hour, scary? 

If that’s your real question, then we’re going to break it down for you.

The true answer is:  it is and it’s not. Allow us to explain.

Look at the photos below. Notice anything? Everyone is smiling super big. These smiles are what we see with about 97% of our guests (a small percentage of our guests are legit freaked out). So, it could be said that the free falling portion of the skydive is actually not that scary at all. It’s counterintuitive, but the thing you think you’ll be freaking out about is what you’re going to love the most.

The reason for this is because of a scientific term known as terminal velocity. We’re not going to get all science-y on you here, but the bottom line is, thanks to terminal velocity, you won’t feel like you’re plummeting uncontrollably towards the planet. The sensation of freefall feels very stable, almost as if you’re laying on a bed (with the ceiling fan blowing at 120mph in your face). Instead of feeling out of control, you actually feel in control which allows you to smile and enjoy yourself!

So, is skydiving scary? The freefall portion of the skydive is not scary, but that walk to the open door… that’s a different story altogether.

Then, as people begin disappearing and you start sliding down the bench towards the very thing that every fiber in your being is telling you to avoid… let’s just say you’ll hear your heartbeat pounding on year eardrums! This is the scary part and it has everything to do with science. Your fight or flight mechanism is kicking into high gear because walking towards the open door of an airplane is not computing; it makes no sense. Even skydivers with thousands of jumps feel an elevated pulse rate at this moment because it’s perfectly natural. The key is how you manage this moment.

So, is skydiving scary? It is and it isn’t. Freefalling during a skydive is not that scary, but walking to the open door for a plane is most definitely scary!

This leads us to answer the real question that may have brought you here:

If you’re afraid of heights, you can definitely go skydiving. Oddly enough, there are thousands of skydivers who are fearful of heights, but enjoy the sport.

When you stand atop a ladder, you can see exactly where you’ll hit the ground should you fall off. Same with driving across a bridge or being on the roof of a house. Being at 14,000 feet is a different animal. When you’re in the door of a plane, you’re looking out on the horizon. At two and a half miles up, you don’t see things the way you do when you’re on the roof of your house. It’s the same concept of flying in commercial airplanes even though you may have a fear of heights.

Also, during free fall, you don’t feel like you’re plummeting and you don’t get ground rush. This is why so many people love skydiving despite having a real fear of heights.

Do you feel satisfied? Are you ready to skydive? Click the Book Now Button, so we can get this party started!